COAL CREEK -- The Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association (CCCIA) hosted its 26th Annual ChiliFest on Saturday, February 1, 2025, presented by United Power. The event welcomed community members new and old to make and judge chili recipes, with many participating for the first time.

The competition started at 4 p.m., and the community sampled various local chili recipes until 6:15 p.m. At that point, ballots from the community were tallied, and at 6:30, the winners were announced.

Throughout the whole event, music from a Spotify playlist called “Classic Country” played in the background, with tunes such as Johnny Cash’s “Walk The Line,” Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” and Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” enhancing the atmosphere.

This year, the community judged 13 recipes – three red, two Texas, five green, and three vegan chili recipes. Voters judged first, second, and third place for each category, along with a “Best in Show” for their favorite recipe overall.

In the red category, third place went to the in-house chili served in CCCIA’s hall, second place went to Rob McGrath, and first place went to Brent Lee. In the Texas category, third place could not be awarded, second place went to Andy and Arya Farwell, and first place went to Sean Walkinshaw.

In the vegan category, third place went to CCCIA’s membership director Janice Batt, second place went to its co-president Norma Cassin, and first place went to its member at large and social media manager Jeremy Turnmeyer. Finally, in the green category, Hybre Thorn and Stacey Lasater competed, third place went to Cheryl Walker, and second place went to Kim Cameron.

First-time competitor Barbara Williams, supported by friends and family (including Jeanette Tulman, who signed Barbara up for the competition) not only won first place in the green category, she also took home “Best in Show.”

As CCCIA co-director Walkinshaw announced the winners, community members clearly showed their enthusiasm. They cheered, clapped, whistled, and gasped at every announcement and for every community member in the room. Families and neighbors gathered together to enjoy this community event, and the competitors celebrated each other along the way.

The competitors have different opinions about what they feel makes the best chili. The Farwells love traditional Texas chili recipes, and in those recipes, beans are not included. Meanwhile, Turnmeyer says that the best chili is not complete unless it includes beans. Individual tastes and preferences are encouraged in the cookout, and the environment is completely non-judgemental.

Even if members are not interested in trying the chili, the event is still welcoming for all. When the author of this article had to admit to the competitors that he was a picky eater, the competitors completely understood. They all loved coming together as a community in general, and in the end, the chili served as a fantastic bonus!

To learn more about upcoming events at CCCIA, such as pancake breakfasts, open mics, and Mardi Gras celebrations, be sure to head to their website at coalcreekcanyon.org.